Golf practice apparatus



Jan. 1 1929. 1,697,131

7 B. B. MORRILL I GOLF PRACTICE APPARATUS- Filed Feb. 9, 1928 S Sheets-Sheet 2 l I l $5:

Jam-1, 1929. 1,697,131

B. B. MORRILL GOLF PRACTICE APPARATUS iled e 1928 s Sheets-Sheet 3 I a Inventor M Attorneys Patented Jan. 1, 1929.

BENJAMIN B. MORBILL, OIE STANSTEAD, QUEBEC, CANADA.

GOLF PRACTICE APPARATUS.

Application filed February 9, 1928. Serial No. 253,179.

The present invention relates to improvements in golf practice apparatus and has particular reference to an appliance for prac ticing various strokes of golf.

An important object of the. invention is the provision of a golf practice apparatus which will enable. a person to practice the execution of various golf strokes in a comparatively small space and with a minimum expenditure of time. v

A further object of the invent-ion is the provision of a golf practice apparatus embodying a captive golf ball and constructed to accurately indicate the effect of a stroke to enable the person to judge the different values of the strokes performed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a golf practice apparatus whereby a golfer may practice driving a captive ball and judge the approximate length of the drive which would have been accomplished had the ball been struck in the open under actual playing conditions.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of the above character which will indicate the effect of the stroke with regard to contact of the club head with the ball so as to designate the effectpro duced by a correct hit or an improper hit caused by a hook or slice.

A further object of the invention is the pro-. vision of a golf practice apparatus of the above character which will be relatively simple and durable of construction and which can be conveniently mounted in operative po sition.

Other objects and advantages of the inven tion will become apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like reference characters are employed to designate correspon ding parts throughout the same.

Figure lis a side elevational view of the apparatus showing a club head in position about to strike the golf ball,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is an end elevational view,

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section through the apparatus,

Figure 6 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section, showing the ball connection,

constructed of relatively thin,

Figure 7 is a vertical section showing the operative movement of the ball,

Figure 8 is a top plan View showing the club head in contact with the ball,

Figure 9 is a transverse section through the ball securing member in position when the ball is properly struck, and 2 Figure 10 is a similar view showing the member in the position assumed when the ball is improperly struck.

Referring to the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus essentially embodies a pair of guide plates or discs 15 which are to be arranged in opposed spaced positions, preferably in vertical planes.

Journaled transversely through the guide members 15 is a rotatable spindle l6 comprising an intermediate section of rectangular cross section projecting between the plates and circular end extensions adaptedto be rotatably fitted in opposed openings formed in the centres of the plates. The centre of the spindle l6 is formed with a transverse tapered bore 17 through which is extended the inner end of a radial arm generally designated at 18.

The arm 18 embodies a radially extending rod of circular cross section 19v extending through the bore 17 of the spindle, screw .hreaded at one end and formed with a U shaped hinge bracket 20 at the opposite end. On the threadedend of the rod is mounted a hemispherical swivel bearing 21 adapted to bear against the reduced end of the bore. I-Iingedly connected wit-h the opposed end of the rod, and extending in co-eXtensive alignment therewith, is an elongated fiat strap 22 rigid n'iaterial. The lower end of thestrap .22 is rolled about a hinge pin 23 to provide a hinge connection between the rod 19 and the strap. Firmly connected to the outer end of the strap 22 is a bolt 24 comprising a longitudinal shank 25, co-extensive radially with the strap, formed with a transversely elongated eye 26 at its inner end. The outer end of the strapis rolled about theinner portion of the eye, as shown to advantage in Figure 6.

Removably secured upon the bolt 24 is a common form of golf ball 27 formed wit-h a central bore adapted to receive the shank 25 of the bolt and secured against displacementby a nut 28 threadedon the outer end of the preferably 9 bolt and disposed in an enlarged recess. The bolt is securely fixed in position by means of a pin 29, preferably circular in cross section forced transversely through the eye 26 and projecting at each side thereof.

The ball is firmly supported in driving position by means of a resiliently actuated member 30 normally urged to an upwardly disposed position and adapted to firmly engage the underside of the ball when lowered to a horizontal position.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, I provide a casing 31 adapted to form an enclosure for the ball during its operative movement. The casing embodies a pair oi spaced complementary side walls in theitorm of major segments of a circle enclosed by a peripheral wall. The top of the casing is formed with a marginal flange 32 formed to extend in a horizontal plane and provided with openings at the ends for securely t'astening the apparatus on the floor of a build- On one end of the flange is fastened a flat, rectangular shaped bracket plate 33 to the inner edge of which is connected a pivoted hinge 3 The opposed side of the hinge is secured to the inner edge of the member 30 adapted to hold the ball in driving position. The member 30 is in the form of a longitudinal bar provided at its outer end with a longitudinally directed slot35, the edges 01 the bar adjacent the slot being also recessed to form arcuate ledges 36 engageable with the end portions of the pin 29. As shown to advantage in Figures 3, 9 and 10, the central portion of the spindle 16 carries a pair oft longitudinally opposed stop pins 37 adapted to restrict the rotary movement of the arm 18.

The apparatus is also provided with a registering device adapted to indicate the approximate value of the drive which would have been effected had the ball been free and struck in play on a golf course. l fith this in mind, one of the extensions of the spindle is formed with diametrically opposed eccentric pins 38. A. pair of offset cranks 89 are connected with the eccentric pins, the inner ends of the pins being formed with circular bearings engageable with the eccentric pins while the outer ends are disposed in an upwardly angular position bearing against a registration bar ll). This bar is of flat elongated formation and is supported for vertical sliding movement in a. pair of spaced brackets ii.

The inner edge of the bar is serrated to form ratchet teeth 4-2 designed to successively engage the respective cranks. The outer suria'ce of the bar is provided with exterior transverse graduations arranged in uniforn'ily spaced positions indicated by nu merals 4&3 increasing progressively from the upper end to designate the value of the drive in yards. I V 4 he apparatus is operated in the following manner. The device is initially installed by cutting a rectangular recess in the floor of the building in which the apparatus is to be used and the flange 32 secured in a rabbetcd recess formed about the edge of the opening so that the flange will be flush with the upper surface of the floor. The ball 27 is then arranged in its uppermost position so that the strap 22 is disposed in the slot formed in the outer end of the member 30. lhe ends of the pin 29 will engage the ledges 36 in the sides of the notch and the ball will be firmly held in upright position by the resilient action of the bar. The stroke is then executed in the usual manner so that the ball and strap will be rotated in a substantially vertical plane. As the ball is driven beyond the outer edge of the bar 30, this member is automatically swung to an upright out of the way position by means of a coiled spring 44 wound about the pin 01": the hinge 3a and having its ends pressed against the opposed notches thereof.

It the ball is properly struck so that the contact 01" the club head with the surface of the ball is such as to give the maximum value to the drive, the ball and strap will be freely rotated for a predetermined number of revolutions without causing the strap to contact with the guide plates 15 and maintain the strap so that its fiat side is parallel to the guides. If the club head contacts with the ball at an improper angle the strap will be forced against one of the guide discsl5 so that the rotary movement of the ball is appreciably retarded so that the number of revolutions is reduced. If, on the other hand, the face of the club head is drawn angularly across the surface otthe ball at a point of contact which, in the actual playing of the game will produce a substantial hook, the ball and strap 22' will be rotated through an arc of approximately ninety degrees. The turning movement of the strap is restricted by the pins 8'? so that the width of the strap will be arranged transversely of the plane of rotation thus sul'istantiall resisting the rotary movement oi? the strap and reducing the number of revolutions.

As previously indicated, the value of the various strokes will be accurately indicated by the vertical movement of the registering bar l0. On the Yorrect stroke, the maximum number of rota ens will be effected so that the bar will be elevated by the oscillatory movement of the cranks 39 arranged to ele rat the bar a predetermined distance for each rotary movement of the spindle. ll here the value of the stroke is diminished by improper contact of the club head with the ball the number of revolutions of the ball and, consequently, the movement of the bar is correspondingly reduced so that the actual value of the stroke will be recorded.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily noted that the present invention presents a golf practice apparatus which will enable the player to practice driving a golf ball and perfecting the execution thereof. F urthermore, the device may be employed as a competitive game in which the players may determine approximately the number of strokes required in driving the ball over a course of predetermined length. The construction is particularly designed to give an accurate estimate as to the value oi? the strokes so that the player might overcome defects in the execution of the stroke.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes as to the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim V 1. An apparatus of the character described comprising a pair of circular guide members adapted to be arranged in opposed spaced positions, a spindle rotatably mounted between the guide members having its ends journaled in the centres thereof, a radially extending arm connected to the intermediate portion of the spindle and rotatable in a vertical plane between the guide members, a golf ball secured to the outer end of the arm, and means for resiliently holding a ball in striking position.

2. A device of the character described comprising a pair of circular guide members arranged in opposed spaced positions in a vertical plane, a spindle rotatably mounted between the guide members having its ends our: naled in the centres thereof, an arm having its inner end connected to the intermediate portion of the spindle rotatable between the guide members, a golf ball fixed on the outer end of the arm and adapted to be rotated about the outer edge of the guide members, and a spring actuated member adapted to hold the ball in striking position and automaticah ly spring out of the path of the loall when the ball is released therefrom.

3. A golf practice apparatus comprising a pair of circular guide members adapted to be arranged. in opposed spaced positions, a spindle rotatably mounted between the guide members, an arm having its inner end at tached to the intermediate portion of the spindle rotatable between the said guide members, a golf ball secured on the outer end of the arm and arranged to rotate in a concentric circle beyond the periphery of the guide members, and a resilient member adapted to hold the ball in striking position.

4-. A golf practice apparatus comprising a pair of circular guide plates adaptedtobe supported in opposed spaced positions, a spindle mounted rotatably through the centres of the guide plates, an arm having its inner end 0011- nected to the intermediate portion of the spindle and carrying a golf ball on its outer end, said arm being formed so as to rotate freely between the guide plateswithoutcontactwhen the ball is struck correctly and engage the inner sides of the guide plates when the ball is struck improperly, and means for holding the ball in upright striking position.

I 5. A golf practice apparatus comprising a pair of circular guide plates adapted to be supported in opposed spaced positions, a spindle mounted rotatably through the centres of the guide plates, an arm having its inner end connected to the intermediate por-. tion of the spindle and carrying a golf ball on its outer end, said arm being formed so as to rotate freely between the guide plates without contact when the ball is struck correctly an d engage the inner sides of the guideplates when the ball is struck improperly, means for holding the ball in upright striking position, and means for recording the travel of the arm during each stroke.

6. In a golf practice apparatus comprising a pair of circular guide plates disposed in opposed spaced positions, a rotatable spindle mounted transversely between the centres of the plates, a radial arm having its inner end connected with the spindle and provided with an extension at its outer end projecting radially beyond the periphery-of the guide plates, a golf ball secured on the said extension, said arm being formed so that it will rotate freely in a vertical plane between the guide plates without contact therewith when the ball is struck properly and will assume an angular position in contact with one of the guide plates when the ball is struck improperly to restrict its rotary movement, and means for holding the ball in striking position.

7. In a golf practice apparatus comprising a pair of circular guide plates disposed in opposed spaced positions, a rotatable spindle mounted transversely between the centres of the plates, a radial arm having its inner end connected with the spindle and provided with an extension at its outer end projecting radially beyond the periphery of the guide plates, a golf ball securedon the said extension, said arm being formed sothat it will rotate freely in a vertical plane between the guide plates without contact therewith when the ball is struck .properly and will assume an angular position in contact with one of the guide plates when the ball is struck iniproperly to restrict its rotary movement, means for holding the ball in a striking po sition, .and registering mechanism operative.-

ly connected with the spindle adaptedto record the rotary movement of the arm to indicate approximately the distance the ball would have travelled if struck in actual play.

8. A golf practice apparatus comprising a pair of circular guide plates supported in vertical spaced positions, a rotatable spindle mounted transversely through the centres of the plates, a radial arm having its inner end connected by a swivel connection with the intermediate portion of the spindle, said arm including an elongated fiat strap having a hinge connection intermediate its ends, the said swivel connection being arranged to permit rotary movement of the strap through an angle of ninety degrees, a golf ball secured to the outer end of the arm and adapted to travel in a concentric circle about the peripheral edges of the plates, a spring actuated holding member adapted to hold the ball in striking position, and means for registering the rotary movement of the ball and strap to designate the approximate distance of the stroke if the same had been executed in actual play.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 20 hen d. 

